16th Century French Poem Reading

Author: Camille Chevalier-Karfis

Listen to my reading of this famous 16th century French poem written in old French. Discover Maurice de Scève French poem “Délie” + English translation + audio

Published in 1544, Scève’s “Délie, objet de plus haute vertu” is a cycle of 449 poems, an endless examination of the physical and spiritual pains of an impossible love.

This poem was written in 16th century French… So the French it features is “old French”: it’s quite different form the French spoken today, or even the way we’d spell French now…

I’ll do my best to read the poem, but I’m not a 16th century French expert… So please be indulgent with me…

1 – French Poem Transcript

Quand l’oeil aux champs est d’esclairs esblouy,
Luy semble nuict quelque part qu’il regarde:
Puis peu à peu de clarté resjouy,
Des soubdains feuz du Ciel se contregarde.
Mais moy conduit dessoubs la sauvegarde
De ceste tienne, et unique lumière,
Qui m’offusca ma lyesse premiere
Par tes doulx rayz aiguement suyviz,
Ne me pers plus en veue coustumiere.
Car seulement pour t’adorer je vis.

Learn French with the most famous French poems, such as “Demain, dès l’aube”, “La Cigale et la Fourmi”, “Parfum Exotique” with my Classic French Poetry audiobooks.

  1. French poem read twice,
  2. explanation of the text and the meaning,
  3. life of the author’s life (Hugo, La Fontaine, Baudelaire…)

in simple French with English translation.

Easy French Poetry

Most famous and classic French poems read and analysed in everyday French.

(29 Reviews)

More Details & Audio Samples

3 – English Translation of the French Poem

When the eye is in the fields dazzled by lightnings,
It seems to be night wherever it looks:
Then gradually he finds back clarity
Adn is happy with the lights of Heavens
And I leave under the protection
Of this which is yours, and unique light,
Which gave me my first happiness
Because I followed your sweet rays of light,
I no longer get lost in regular sights.
For only to adore you I live.

You’ll find many more classical French poems with French transcript, English translation and slower and faster audio recording in my free French poetry section.

You enjoy this free French lesson? We’re a 2 person company based in France… Please consider supporting FrenchToday on Patreon or purchasing our unique audiobooks to learn French.

Author: Camille Chevalier-Karfis

Camille Chevalier-Karfis

Born and raised in Paris, I have been teaching today's French to adults for 25+ years in the US and France. Based on my students' goals and needs, I've created unique downloadable French audiobooks focussing on French like it's spoken today, for all levels. Come to Paimpol and enjoy an exclusive French immersion homestay with me in Brittany.

More Articles from Camille Chevalier-Karfis

Comments

Leave a Comment

DOWNLOAD YOUR FRENCH AUDIOBOOK
🎁 2.5 Hours French Audiobook - 100% Free / Keep Forever 🎁

Recorded at 3 different speeds + Study Guide + Q&A + Full Transcript

Item added to cart.
0 items - US$0.00